In the year 1815,         $12,200
                           1816,           12,802
                           1817,           15,775
                           1818,           16,600
                           1819,           15,250
                           1820,           16,550
                           1821,           16,685
                           1822,           16,044
                       Total            $121,906

   Note.--From the year 1814 to 1822, there were no less than 96 appeals entered in the courts, averaging $50 each appeal.  [Letter from the clerk of Dutchess county.]

BEEKMAN.

   Previous to the year 1820, the poor of our town were kept by individuals, one, two or three in a place, by persons who would keep them the lowest, at the average expense of $35 each, and their clothing furnished at the expense of the town.  Since the year 1820, we have contracted with one man to keep all the paupers, and he to furnish them with clothing, at $32 each, for those over 12 years of age, and those of 12 and under, $16 each.  [Letter from the supervisor of Beekman.]

FISHKILL.

   The overwhelming source of pauperism in this state, and that which is the most difficult of all others, to controul, as it flows through every department, and avenue in life, is the Immoderate use of intoxicating liquor.  In searching out the cause of infant pauperism throughout the county, more than two thirds of the cases, I presume may be traced to this prevailing evil; and a great number of the adults to the same cause.  [Letter from the supervisor of Fishkill.]

HYDE PARK.

   We have no house of industry.  I hope there never will be one as it is termed.-- No plan (in my opinion) could be devised which would tend to increase pauperism in a greater degree than that what is commonly called a house of industry.  [Letter from the supervisor of Hyde Park.]

PAWLING.

   By making all the poor of a county chargeable to the county, and supported at the county poor-house, the expense would be lessened.  In my opinion one sixth of the monies raised in this town, within the last six years, has been expended in appeals, in orders of removal and other charges of officers, &c.  If we had a poor-house, under good regulation, many of the paupers might nearly support themselves.  [Letter from the supervisor.]

NORTH EAST.

   We would recommend that when an order of removal is made, to another state, the constable of the town, where the order is made should transport the pauper out of the state, at the expense of the state, if the order b valid, &c.  The present mode of removal is hard upon the frontier counties.  Our poor are put out annually by the overseers on the best terms they can make, with such citizens of the town as in their opinion will do them justice, who are entitled to the labor of such as are able to perform any; and are bound to provide them a decent and comfortable support, clothing, &c. at the expense of the town, under the superintendence of the overseers.  [Letter form supervisor, justice, and overseers of the poor.]

POUGHKEEPSIE.

   There have been 144 paupers, supported in this town, during the last year -- 76 for the whole year, and 68 partially through the winter -- 50 have been kept in our house of industry, and 26 on small allowances.  Those kept in the house have been employed in cooking, washing, spinning, picking oakum, &c. and in husbandry.  The value of labor will amount probably to $400.  There were 27 males, 23 females, 18 blind, lame or otherwise disabled by sickness or disease, and 17 children among the number.  The average expense of those kept in the house, about $25 each per year, their labor included.  Our paupers have encreased about one-third, but it is calculated that our house of industry affords an opportunity to economize, and to support our paupers at least 50 per cent less than formerly, and when they were billetted out. [Letter from the supervisor.]

   I have been for several years past, an overseer of the poor, (of Poughkeepsie.)  From all the observations I have been able to make, respecting pauperism, I am decidedly of opinion, that a great portion of the paupers are voluntary in consequence of drunkenness, idleness and vice of all kinds.  I have known such wretches to boast that they would use their earnings to gratify their dissipated appetites, &c. and the town would be obliged to maintain them, when unable to work.  If a distinction was made by law, between voluntary and involuntary paupers, it might prevent the evil complained of.  Much also might be saved by preventing the removal of paupers from different towns, and making it a common interest, &c.  Great sums are expended for examinations, orders, removals, appeals, &c.  [Letter from J. Nelson.]

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